Mike Dunmyer, Executive Director of Ocean Champions talks with Rob about advancing ocean conservation in Washington DC. Ocean Champions recently held an event attended by 20 legislators speaking passionately to clean up our oceans, to better ocean wildlife conditions, and to have less slimy beaches. Ocean Champions succeeds by being the political voice in Washington for ocean conservation. This c4 political nonprofit is not tax deductible because individual gifts influence decision-makers. Mike introduces Senators and House members who are working to save our oceans and who today face challenges in the upcoming elections. He also describes the ocean-worthy merits of new challengers of a few who are bad for oceans. Mike concludes with three ocean legislation items where we can assist during the lame duck period: reducing marine debris, harmful algal blooms that include ocean dead zones, and importance of catch-shares for fishermen from Alaska halibut to New England groundfish.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe added to public alarm over toxic algae when he said he became “deathly sick” after swimming in the algae in Grand Lake. Alliances to clean-up our waters, both salty and fresh, can come from unexpected quarters in the U.S. Senate. Tune in to Rob talking with Ocean Champions working with unexpected environmentalists bill by bill.
Bio:
Mike Dunmyer is the Executive Director of Ocean Champions.
Before joining Ocean Champions, Mike created, developed and led strategy, finance, marketing and operations organizations as a Vice President in the Fortune 500 world. From 2006 – 2009, Mike also served on the Ocean Champions Board of Directors. During that time he led a successful strategic planning and implementation effort and also managed the Board’s Executive Committee. Mike has an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and a BA in Economics from Washington and Lee University. Mike has a great love for the ocean that comes from growing up in California, Hawaii, and the Delaware shore. He is a surfer and a grassroots activist for the Surfrider Foundation’s Capitol Chapter, and the Vice Chair of the National Aquarium Conservation Center’s Board of Directors. Mike, his wife and their two daughters live near soul enriching Dewey Beach, Delaware.
